Review: 101 DALMATIANS THE MUSICAL, Eventim Apollo
Photo credit: Johan Persson
101 Dalmatians the Musical reimagines Dodie Smith’s beloved tale for the stage, following Tom and Danielle as their lives are thrown into chaos when their Dalmatian puppies are stolen by the infamous Cruella de Vil. With the help of their devoted dogs Pongo and Perdy and a network of canines across London, they embark on a mission to bring the pup’s home.
Sydnie Christmas delivers a powerful vocal performance as Cruella, with a laugh that captures her theatrical eccentricity. However, her portrayal leans too far into caricature and loses the sinister edge that defines the character. Laura Baldwin and Samuel Thomas as Danielle and Tom never quite connect emotionally with the audience, their performances veering into melodrama.
The script, adapted by Zinnie Harris and written by Johnny McKnight, includes questionable changes to the original story. Cruella is reimagined as the aunt of Casper and Jasper (played by Jeff Brazier and Aston Merrygold), who deliver exaggerated performances that feel more childish than comedic. Their puppy-stealing scene is drawn-out and aims for slapstick but doesn’t land.
Puppetry by Jimmy Grimes is one of the production’s real highlights. The dog designs are of high quality, with nodding heads and expressive movements that, at times, make it feel like real Dalmatians are on stage. The pale blue costumes worn by the puppeteers, however, are distracting and undermine the illusion.
Sarah Mercadé’s costume design is another visual strength. Cruella’s wardrobe is bold, dramatic and thoroughly devilish, featuring thigh-high boots, animal print jumpsuits and leather trousers that feel every inch the fashion-obsessed villain, perfectly encapsulating the over-the-top glamour and menace that define the character. While Cruella’s costumes stand out, the rest of the cast’s wardrobe never really wows. Functional but uninspired, they pale in comparison to the bold design afforded to the villainess.
Cruella’s musical number ‘Animal Lover’ is the most imaginative in staging, with the set dressed in feathers and animal print. The standout musical number is ‘Take Me Home’, which offers musical texture and emotional depth, though it's repeated a bit too often. The rest of the score, composed by Douglas Hodge, lacks variety and memorability, with many songs blending into one another and not enhancing the plot.
David Woodhead’s set features creative touches, such as the movable panels for the couple’s home and a fashion house lined with mannequins and clothing rails. But elements like the “Haus of DeVil” sign and Cruella’s car fall short of expectation. The car’s initial reveal is exciting, especially with the iconic “DEVIL” number plate, but it quickly disappoints when the illusion is broken by the flat construction.
The tone spirals further with a surreal moment in which Cruella drinks a potion and turns into a dog. Intended to be comic, but just confusing. Her downfall feels rushed and theatrically unrewarding. The finale, however, does deliver one moment of warmth felt by the entire audience. The staging of all 101 Dalmatian dogs is nicely done, and the reveal of a real Dalmatian puppy as the runt draws audible affection from the audience. It is a sweet and effective end, but one genuinely touching moment cannot make up for some of the shortcomings that precede it.
101 Dalmatians the Musical is definitely a musical best suited to younger audiences. While the show may not deliver for all age groups, children under 13 seemed to thoroughly enjoy the spectacle and energy. The production’s playful energy and inventive use of puppetry offer young theatregoers a lively and imaginative introduction to the world of musical theatre.
** Two stars
Reviewed by: Laura Harris
